Sandy Springs Modifies Tree Ordinance To Protect Existing Canopy

The Sandy Springs City Council on Tuesday demonstrated its desire and focus on protecting the city’s tree canopy by approving several changes to its current tree ordinance.

“There is a careful balance needed between development and preservation,” said Mayor Rusty Paul. “We need development to economically grow our city. But equally important is the need to protect the very qualities that make our city desirable. The changes adopted by Council confirm our commitment to protecting our natural resources.”

The Tree Conservation Ordinance focuses on tree conservation; the increase, renewal and proliferation of trees and the tree canopy; and the protection of existing trees.

Some of the key changes approved include:

• Boundary Tree – Changes boundary tree size from 18” diameter at breast (DBH) to 10” DBH - Boundary trees are trees on an adjacent property. This change sets a higher standard for trees on adjacent properties that will be protected under the Ordinance.
• Section 109-362 – Definitions – Canopy Mitigation – Defines canopy mitigation and sets the requirement that trees planted to meet canopy mitigation be a minimum of 2 1Ž2” caliper. - Changing the minimum planting size from 2” to 2 1Ž2” will ensure that planted trees require less maintenance and will thrive. Canopy replacement is more quickly realized when a larger tree is planted.
• Section 109-364 – Landmark Trees – Requires mitigation be based on actual measured canopy. - This change will result in a greater canopy replacement requirement for the removal of Landmark Trees.
• Section 109-366 – Significant Tree Canopy removal penalty – Requires replanting and payment into the Tree Bank when canopy removal falls below the minimum canopy requirement. - This change provides an incentive to reduce canopy removal on development projects.

The City Council also approved changes that provide an incentive for tree planting along street frontage and within stream buffers (a 1.25 percent incentive was approved); requires that Tree Bank Funds be used for tree canopy/canopy preservation only (codifies a current practice); increases the minimum tree canopy for single family residential property from 30 to 35 percent; and provides a 1.25 percent incentive for preservation of Landmark Trees in the side, front and rear yards, enhancing the value for saving existing landmark trees.

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